our team
soil scientists
David Henry
Professor (Chemistry), School of Mathematics, Statistics, Chemistry & Physics, Murdoch University
Researcher, State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre (SABC)
My role
I am a Professor of Chemistry at Murdoch University, and a researcher in the Centre for Sustainable Farming Systems, Food Futures Institute and State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre (SABC).
My work spans inorganic and computational chemistry with applications in agriculture, the environment, and health. A large part of my current focus is on collaborative research into soil amendments and solutions to overcome water repellency in Western Australian cropping systems.
My background
I trained in chemical synthesis of organometallics and computational chemistry. Subsequently I gained experience in radical thermochemistry, nanomaterials and molecular modelling. Since coming to Murdoch University in 2010 I have expanded my research into applied problems in soil science, bio-interfaces, nanomaterials, and coatings. My background in fundamental chemistry provides the foundation for developing practical solutions to environmental and agricultural challenges.
Projects
- Tackling Soil Water Repellency in Western Australian Cropping Systems – Understanding Mechanisms, Mitigation Options, and System-Wide Impacts (2014 – current)
- Design of Novel Soil Amendments for Sustainable Agriculture (current)
- Development of Nanomaterials for Biomedical Applications (current)
- Antibacterial Coatings and Bio-Interface Materials (current)
- Nanomaterials for Hydrogen Storage (completed)
- Development of Materials for Water Conservation (completed)
- Design of Dirt Resistant Coatings (completed)
- Radical Thermochemistry and Computational Methods Development (completed)
- Substituent Effects in RAFT Polymerisation (completed)
Key expertise
Soil chemistry and water repellency, nanomaterials and functional coatings, computational chemistry (ab initio, DFT, molecular dynamics), radical thermochemistry, interfacial science and soil–organic matter interactions
Qualifications
PhD in Chemistry, Deakin University
BSc (Hons) in Chemistry, Deakin University